For Rent

It didn't take him long before Zevran reached the alienage. He looked around seeing how dirty and worn it was compared to the market district and especially the palace district where he had followed the three elves. The alienage was bad, but he knew that it wasn't as bad as in most countries. At least the streets weren't covered in mold like the alienages in Antiva were. That was probably more due to Antiva's humidity than anything else. Antiva was much warmer than Ferelden, and more humid.

Zevran began walking down the street, taking in the many sites and smells of the place. It wasn't long before he came across a sign on one of the buildings. He went to read it to learn that there was a room up for rent. Only ten silvers a night. He considered it. It was cheaper than the Pearl, and the alienage was one place he knew Karah would not find him. She wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this where she might accidentally step in an unidentifiable substance that could ruin her expensive Orlesian shoes. He laughed thinking how much that would make her mad. Karah was very anal about her clothing and accessories. It was one of the reasons why he was so shocked to see her dressed like a simple commoner. He either saw her in her exotic mage robes or in something that only a noble could wear.

Looking at the address to see where the room was, he was surprised to find that the house was right down the road, close to the gate. It would be perfect. He could slip in and out of the alienage with ease if he needed.

Zevran made his way to the house and knocked on the door. At first there was no answer. He thought maybe no one was home, but decided to knock one more time before leaving and trying again later. He did, and this time he could hear something going on in the house. It was the sound of a chair scrapping against the floor and a voice called out: "Hang on." When the door opened, Zevran found himself facing an older male elf with graying hair. His eyes were red and slightly puffy. "May I help you?" the elf asked, as he wiped his eyes, trying to hide the fact that he had been crying. It was no use, so Zevran pretended like he didn't notice.

"I saw the flier on the wall," he said.

"Oh, you're here about the room, then," said the elf. He sighed. "I'm sorry, but I'm not renting it out anymore."

"Oh, well, I can pay you fifteen silvers instead," Zevran said trying to keep the elf from closing the door on him.

The elf looked at him and Zevran could see in his eyes that he was debating on what to do. Finally the elf sighed deeply and opened the door wide, allowing Zevran in. "You must really need it. Come on in."

Zevran did so. As he entered the house he noticed how small the place was. It was only one room. In the center was a table with two chairs. Next to the wall on his right was a stove and in the back left corner was a bed. In the opposite corner from the bed was a door, and Zevran assumed that this lead to the room for rent.

"Your house is very lovely," he said trying to be polite.

"Thanks," said the elf as he went around Zevran. "I'm sorry if I've come across rude or anything. I just received some very horrible news." The elf sniffed before sitting in one of the chairs. Zevran made his way to sit in the other one.

"Look," he said. "If you're unable to-"

"No, no," the elf interrupted him. "I can see you need the room, and unfortunately I do need the money. I guess she would prefer I take care of myself first than worry about what others would think."

"May I ask what it is that happened?" Zevran asked as polite as he could. He didn't want to upset the man that was willing to give him the room despite his feelings.

The elf looked down at the table. He breathed in and out slowly, perhaps trying to keep himself from crying in front of a stranger. It took him awhile before he could speak. "The room belonged to my daughter," he began. "Her name was Arawin." There was that name again. Could Zevran be so lucky to find a connection to Shianni? "She left home about a week ago, maybe more. I can't really remember. It only seems like yesterday to me. But I only decided to put her room up for rent two days ago. I needed the money, you see, and there's no point in just me living in this house all alone." He looked up from the table and attempted to smile at Zevran. Zevran smiled back, wanting the elf to continue.

"But now I just found out she's... she died," he choked out. "My little girl. And now... I don't know what to do."

"What would she want you to do?" Zevran asked, hoping he hadn't crossed a line.

The elf's face had turned hard, but then lightened as he breathed out slowly. "She would want me to continue on. There's no doubt about that. She's like her mother in so many ways." The elf stood and gave Zevran his hand. "My name is Cyrion. It's a pleasure doing business with you."

Zevran stood, matching Cyrion's gaze and took his hand. They shook. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Cyrion. I am Zevran."

"Well, as you can tell, this is my house," Cyrion gestured. "And that over there will be your room."

"Yes, thank you," said Zevran. He reached and grabbed a pouch from his belt. He then counted out fifteen silvers and handed them to Cyrion.

"Oh, no," Cyrion said with his hands in front of him. "I know you offered fifteen, but you don't have to. Ten will be fine."

"If that is what you wish," said Zevran. He then took the pouch again and counted out five more silvers and handed all of them to Cyrion. "I will go ahead and pay for two nights then. Is that all right?"

"You don't have to, but I guess there's no harm in it." He took the silvers and placed them in his pocket without counting them. "Thank you."

Zevran bowed to him. "It's the least I can do for a man who just lost everything and is still willing to help out a stranger."

"Then I guess I should show you your room."

It wasn't a far walk to the door. All Zevran really needed to do was turn around and the door to the room was right there. Cyrion pulled out a key and went to unlock the door before stopping. He turned to Zevran. "I have to warn you now, this was a girl's room and I haven't had time yet to clean it out. So I'm sorry about the appearance."

"It'll be no problem," said Zevran. It wasn't like he hadn't slept in a female's room before. And besides, if he had his way, he might not even be sleeping in it. That night at least.

Cyrion turned the key and swung open the door. Zevran peered in to see that the room was tiny. It was about one eighth the size of the main room. As for it being a girl's room, Zevran wondered what Cyrion meant.

There was very little in the room, perhaps due to its size. All Zevran could see was the bed in the far right corner with a little end table next to the head. A chest sat in the middle of the far wall, and at the other corner stood a looking-glass that was covered with dirt and fingerprints.

Cyrion then handed Zevran the key along with a second. "This is the key to the room," he explained as he handed over the first one. "And this is the key to the house. I only lock up at night. I'm not going to put any rules on you, so I don't really care what you do outside of the house. Just, if you do have to use the house key, try not to wake me when you come in." Cyrion smiled at him the best he could.

Zevran smiled back. "Thank you," he said. "You are too kind."

"Now, I'll let you go ahead and get situated. I'm leaving to go and find our elder to get a funeral prepared. Oh," he sighed. "I can't believe I'm doing this again." He turned to Zevran. "I'll see you later." He then left the room and Zevran watched as he exited the house.

Zevran stood where he was in a state of shock. Here he was, all alone in a stranger's house with the key and everything. Cyrion was either a very trusting person, or maybe it was because Zevran had paid him early and that there would be no reason to think he would run out on him. There was also probably nothing of value to steal in the house. Zevran hadn't planned on stealing anything anyway. Why would he risk hurting the one thing that might help him to find Shianni and maybe even win her over?

He decided to explore the room. Zevran sat on the bed finding it was fairly soft, but when he laid down on it, he found that he was too tall to fit on the bed properly. He sat up, testing the beds condition by lightly bouncing up and down on it. It didn't make any noise and seemed to be in good order.

He then turned his attention to the bedside table. It consisted of two drawers. He opened the lower one to find it was empty, but when he opened the top one, inside he found several things. The contents mostly consisted of papers and trinkets, but nothing of any value. He picked up the top paper and unfolded it to see it was a small note. The handwriting was very crisp and clean.

To my little girl on her big day. I hope this serves you just as well as it served me.

Love,

Mom

Zevran folded back up the note and placed it in the drawer as he began to rummage through the contents again. He then came across another folded paper that felt like something was inside. He took it out and opened it to find what looked to be the tip of a dagger. It was covered in splotches of rust and what looked to be dried blood. The paper it was wrapped in also had a note scratched onto it. This time the handwriting, he noticed was very shaky, with some of the letters and words running together. The paper was also crinkled, as if it had been wet.

My dear Ara,

I am sorry I did this to you. I wish I could be there to see you grow. To see you through your triumphs. I know you are meant for great things. Just know that I love you and if you ever need guidance, look to the sky and listen to the song. It will lead you to what ever you seek.

Zevran folded the note back over the dagger tip. He didn't understand what the note meant, but he felt as if he had just read something he shouldn't have. He replaced the note, then closed the drawer. He thought it would perhaps be best if he never opened it again.

Getting off the bed, Zevran then went over to the chest and sat in front of it. The lock was broken, so it wasn't hard for him to open. As he suspected, the chest was full of clothes. Dresses, mostly, along with a couple pairs of short pants. From the condition of the clothes, and with the short pants, Zevran assumed that this Arawin was anything but a lady. She was probably very much a tomboy, and maybe even a strong woman as Zevran had seen in Shianni. Zevran wondered about her as he held up one of the dresses. Maybe if she was still alive, she might even be the type of girl he liked, but he couldn't be for sure, and there was no way of knowing now.

He replaced the dress and closed the chest before standing and looking around the room one last time. He still wasn't sure what Cyrion was warning him about, that this was a girl's room. There was no evidence that it was a girl's room besides the contents in the chest. Either way, it didn't matter to him. He was safe in this room. He could feel it.

Zevran decided that if he was going to, now would be the perfect time to go back to the Pearl and get his things. Karah would hopefully not be there, instead fixated on making the false key to his room. He smiled as he thought what she would do when she would open his room tonight to find it empty. He almost wanted to be there just to see her face, but that wouldn't be wise.

Slowly Zevran made his way out of the room, closing the door behind him and then making his way out of the house. He wanted to be quick about it. He didn't have much stuff, so it shouldn't take very long, but he wanted to be back so he could begin his challenge anew. Shianni would be waiting.